Winemaker Notes
Striking an impeccable balance between concentration and elegance, this complex Cabernet Franc showcases how beautifully this grape expresses itself when grown on high-mountain slopes. Aromas of red currant, black cherry, graphite and black tea leap from the glass, followed by French oak-inspired notes of vanilla, cedar and clove. On the plush, silky palate the luxurious ripe berry flavors are framed by fine-grained tannins and an earthy richness, with hints of sage, coffee and cigar leaf emerging on the long, sophisticated finish.
Blend: 78% Cabernet Franc, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Merlot
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesSimilarly deep purple-hued, the 2019 Cabernet Franc (78% Cabernet Franc, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot and 2% Merlot) offers a kaleidoscope-like array of red, blue, and black fruits as well as spring flowers, cedarwood, and leafy herbs. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it's another rich, concentrated, yet vibrant and fresh 2019, and it's going to evolve for 20 years or more. It's a brilliant bottle of wine! Best After 2022
Heady wood smoke and graphite aromas merge into concentrated, layered flavors of black currants, tobacco, dark chocolate and cloves that are gently carried by fine-grained tannins. This delicious, mouth-coating and spicy wine from a time-tested winery.
The Chappellets' romance with Pritchard Hill began when Donn and Molly Chappellet first glimpsed the mountain's spectacular vistas in the late 1960s. Inspired by the notion that Bacchus loves the hills, Donn and Molly followed the advice of legendary winemaker André Tchelistcheff and settled on the rocky eastern slopes of the Napa Valley. There, on the mountain’s serene and picturesque hillsides, the Chappellets established their home and winery, raising their children and cultivating the vineyards.
Since being founded by Donn and Molly in 1967, Chappellet has earned acclaim championing the robust power and complexity of wines crafted from mountain grapes. At the same time, Chappellet has helped to establish Pritchard Hill as one of California’s most revered winegrowing sites. To honor the mountain's rich, expressive character, the winemaking team focuses on creating extraordinary, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignons that embody the intensity and finesse of fruit from Pritchard Hill.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.